What I Would Do Differently
Lesson 4: The Gospel of Peace Content. Ephesians 6:15
Context. Ephesians 6:10-18
Exegetical idea. The gospel is the foundation of the believer’s peace with God and with each other. The believer’s identity as forgiven through the redemption of Jesus on the cross provides peace with God and oneself; therefore, the believer must always be ready to share the gospel of peace with others.6 God’s peace provides steadfastness in the spiritual battle.
Pedagogical idea. Couples must first have peace with God through the gospel, and then they must be in peace with each other. They can extend this peace through forgiving each other for any offense. Couples can learn the art of biblical principles for seeking and granting forgiveness.7 They must keep their heart peace in the middle of chaos. Furthermore, they must proceed as a family with the gospel of peace as a greater purpose for their marriage.
Aims.
1. Cognitive/head: couples will realize that the gospel is the foundation that provides peace with God and others by cultivating peace with each other, and also by proceeding with the gospel as a family.
6 See chap. 3 of ministry project under “Identity and Issues in Connection to the Gospel of Peace,” which says, “This identity forms the basis for granting and keeping forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace with the spouse.”
7 See chap. 3 of ministry project under “Biblical Principles for Granting Forgiveness,” and
“Biblical Principles for Seeking Forgiveness.”
2. Affective/heart: couples will receive peace in the heart by receiving God’s forgiveness, granting forgiveness to each other, and keeping faith in God and His peace when facing anxiety. They will be ready to stay firm-footed in the battle and ready to go forward.
3. Behavioral/hands: couples will keep the peace when they experience division by staying peaceful with God and by maintaining reconciliation with each other, and also, by proceeding with the gospel of peace.
Lesson structure.
Hook.
1. The object lesson is about the concept of the shoes—every mission needs different shoes in life.
2. Hook questions: If you want to run, which kind of shoe is better?
3. Do you remember an emergency where you have kept your peace and handled the matter properly?
4. Do you wish you kept your peace in a sudden situation where you could have handled the matter in a better way?
Book. Couples will understand reconciliation with God through the gospel and forgive each other based on God’s forgiveness. They must keep peace with God, themselves, and others when facing the chaos, division, and the fear that the enemy causes. Moreover, couples must proceed toward a greater purpose.
Look. Couples must consider the following plan in a difficult situation: (1) Keep the peace with God without grumbling back at Him. (2) Keep the peace in the heart by refusing fearful thoughts. (3) Grant forgiveness for their spouse. (4) Keep the focus on the mission.
Took. Choose a certain kind of a reminder to be ready for battle if the evil day catches a spouse off-guard. It can be an index card, a verse on the fridge, or an accountability partner. Also add “maintain the peace” to the prayer list.
Method. PowerPoint, pictures for different shoes, brainstorming, self-evaluation, and take-home papers about forgiveness.
Lesson Five: The Shield of Faith The content. Ephesians 6:16
The context. Ephesians 1:13,15,19; 2:8; 3:17,18; 4:5.13; Luke 8:25; 1 John 4:18.
Exegetical ideas. The order in which Ephesians 6:16 is written and the words above all indicate the importance of faith for all other pieces of the armor of God. The definition of faith (Heb 11:1) and the content of faith from Ephesians 1–2 are important to teach. Faith is to receive all truth as the devil attacks anything to bring doubt. Also, faith must be in action for defense in the battle.
Pedagogical ideas. Ephesians 3:17 is important for marriages as God’s love will cast the couple’s fears from the future of their marriage. The imagery of couples holding the shields together encourages couples to stand beside each other in faith for victory. Because faith comes by hearing the Word of God, the couple must cultivate faith by reading God’s Word and focusing on God’s love, character, and promises, and also on their new identity in Christ and God’s design for marriage. Couples must read more about any specific concern in their relationship.
Aims.
1. Cognitive/head: couples will define faith and understand the meaning of the words
“above all” in Ephesians 6:16 by realizing the content of faith from Ephesians 1–2 and the action of faith in connection to the armor.
2. Affective/heart: Couples determine to live by faith, not by sight or fear, by
confessing faith and encouraging each other to live by faith. Furthermore, couples must keep the faith in their new identity in Christ and obey the purposes of God for their marriage.
3. Behavioral/hands: Couples interpret circumstances through faith by reading the Word of God and believing God’s attributes, love, promises, and truth above all circumstances. Furthermore, couples must join their faith together for a larger shield.
Lesson Structure.
Hook. What is faith? Why do you need it in your marriage? Can faith add to the health of a marriage relationship? How?
Book. The meaning of the shield of faith, and the definition and the content of faith necessary for victory in the spiritual walk.
Look. Couples write down fears and concerns about the relationship to discover where fear is in action instead of faith. Couples connect how faith can protect their marriage relationships from fears.
Took. Couples will have a reading plan to cultivate their faith.
Method. PowerPoint, self-evaluation, small group discussion about fears, brainstorming, and lecture.
Lesson Six: The Helmet of Salvation Content. Ephesians 6:17
Context. Ephesians 6:10-18, the letter of Ephesians.
Exegetical ideas. Salvation includes justification, sanctification, and
glorification. Salvation provides blessings, new identity in adoption, secured inheritance, and special promises from God for the believer (Eph 1–2).8 The helmet covers the mind and secures the thoughts from strongholds of discouragement and doubts. The helmet is the hope of salvation (1 Thess 5:8), and it is also the victory accomplished in grace.
Therefore, the helmet helps the believer to continue the walk of faith, to abandon the past, and to live a secured present and a hopeful future.
Pedagogical idea. The couple must know about salvation. They must also refuse discouragement and keep the hope in the promises, inheritance, and blessings of salvation. Couples must get established in their new identity as adopted children of God.
Aims
1. Cognitive/head: couples will become aware that God’s secured salvation provides hope in Christ. Couples will also recognize God’s blessings, identity, inheritance, and promises in Christ (Eph 1–2).
8 See chap. 3 of ministry project under “Identity and Issues Under the Helmet of Salvation.”
2. Affective/heart: couples will develop identities in Christ, keep the hope as the anchor for their souls, and have confidence in God for their future by deciding to continue walking with God.
3. Behavioral/hands: couples will continue walking in faith, hope, and God’s love toward a better future by taking their thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, eventually breaking strongholds.
Lesson Structure.
Hook. How do you define a company that secures the future? Would you prefer a company that provides contracts? Do you prefer a title with a clear job description, and why?
Book. Salvation, blessings of salvation, new identity, hope, and victory.
Look. Couples examine areas of discouragement and find answers from the hope of salvation in a group setting. In other words, they can find what makes them lose heart in their life and relationship, and then find what the promises of salvation say about it.
Took. Couples decide to stay focused on the promises of God for their marriage and future.
Methods. Thinking questions, brainstorming, lecture with PowerPoint, and groupwork. Case study application.
Lesson Seven: The Sword of the Spirit Content. Ephesians 6:17
Context. The Word of God
Exegetical idea. All the armor is based on the Word of God, but this is a specific Word that the Holy Spirit gives against the enemy’s specific attack.
Pedagogical idea. Couples must read the Word of God and learn how to receive the specific Word for their situation, believe it, and declare it for victory.
Aims.
1. Cognitive/head: couples will realize the power of a specific Word from the Bible relevant to the enemy’s attack.
2. Affective/heart: couples expect to receive from God’s specific Word against the enemy.
3. Behavioral/hands: couples will be able to declare God’s Word in faith.
Lesson structure.
Hook. Share Jesus’s temptation (Matt 4:2-10). Do believers need a similar strategy in their battles?
Book. A specific Word from the Spirit of God against the attack of the enemy.
Look. In a small group, couples think together about the following statements, connect them to the temptation of Jesus, and pray for answers from the Word of God:
1. My needs are not met in the marriage. My old girlfriend is better than my spouse. I will be more comfortable if I leave my relationship.
2. Answers can be: My God will meet all my needs (Ps 23). I am in a blessed covenant with my spouse (Mal 2:14, Eccl 9:9). I will only follow the ways of God and He will bless me (Ps 19).
Took. Couples start examining the attacks on their relationship, pray and read to receive a Word from God, and get the help of a friend or counselor.
Method. Brainstorming, lecture with PowerPoint, and group exercise.
Lesson Eight: Prayer
Content. Ephesians 6:18
Context. Ephesians 1:17-20; 3:14-21
Exegetical ideas. Ephesians 6:18 indicates a continuous prayer, staying awake.
The first prayer in Ephesians 1:17-20 is for the believer to acknowledge the power of God. The second in Ephesians 3:14-21 is about the enablement of this power in the believer’s life. Lastly, the armor of God starts by the command to be strengthened, and prayer is one way to do that.
Pedagogical idea. Couples must start to pray without ceasing individually, as a couple, and collectively with the church. The prayer must include the goal to be
empowered, be filled with God’s love, and to receive understanding for the truth.
Aims.
1. Cognitive/head: couples comprehend the command of a continuous prayer life by realizing the different kinds of prayer.
2. Affective/heart: couples turn their anxiety to prayers and supplications to God.
3. Behavioral/hands: couples start uniting through prayer by praying together and for each other.
Lesson structure.
Hook. Imagine that there is a command that says eat without ceasing. How fun would that be?
Book. Meaning of prayer, prayers in Ephesians, kinds of prayer, and praying continuously. The importance of uniting in prayer as a couple.
Look. Couples define prayer as they see it. Couples must also decide what changes must be done in their lives to pray more.
Took. Spouses can find an accountability partner and have a practical plan to pray as a couple.
Method. Lecture, the individuals share their definition about prayer, and small group of two couples working together to develop a practical plan for prayer and become accountable to each other.
Further Preparation
While the course has these strengths, it can benefit from the following: First, more practical examples. Second, prayer meeting for families at Church. Third, follow- ups with ideas, quotes, or encouragements over WhatsApp or email. Fourth: home devotionals or readings for couples. If the teacher assigns readings from Ephesians, Colossians, or other Christian material about marriage and warfare, participants will be better able to understand and apply the principles from Ephesians 6:10-18.
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